Spare Parts Inventory at NSCL
“Reliability and Availability”
WAO 2012, Stanford University
Jon Bonofiglio
August, 9th, 2012
Outline
Introduction to NSCL & MSU
Why is an Inventory Management System Important
Hardware Overview
Software Overview
Managing Inventory
Reports
Wireless Scanner
Future
Questions
Michigan State University
The United States pioneer land-grant university, established in 1855
In 2010, MSU enrollment consisted of 47,131 students
from all 50 United States and 130 countries
MSU has over 11,000 employees
Throughout the world, there are nearly
half a million MSU alumni
NSCL
National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) is a world leader in rare isotope
research and nuclear science education
NSCL employees 454 Faculty,
Staff and Students
Located on the campus of
Michigan State University
Ranked as the #1 graduate program in nuclear physics
In the United States by U.S. News & World Report
Cyclotrons & Beam Lines
Where is Michigan State University ?
Why is an Inventory System
Important?
Efficiency
Time spent searching for spares can be significant over the course of a year
Time spent waiting for parts on order can be significant for a specific repair
Cost
Know what levels to keep in stock can save money
Faster repair, less down time, back to the experimental program faster
Quality
Meet quality management system objectives
Avoid patch jobs (and more down time later) by having the correct part when needed
Cost Savings
Time spent searching for spares can be significant over the course of a year
EXAPMLE:
For an operational cost of $3500/hr (USD)
If 15 minutes are saved by not having to search for a particular part
Assuming this is true for just 1 repair per month
$3500/60minutes = $58.33/minute
$58.33/minute x 15minutes/repair = $875/repair
$10,500/year in cost savings
What’s in NSCL’s Inventory?
1059 unique items
167 Manufactures
5 different areas (rooms)
94 Individual Bins
8552 Total parts
Inventory Application
Stockbook
Web Interface
Accessible throughout the lab
Simple Interface
Ability to handle digital photos
Have reporting functionality
Hardware Setup
PC/Monitor
UPC Label Printer
Wired Scanner
Wireless Scanner
Digital Camera/Tripod
Photography Studio
Storage Bins
Storage Space
What Does NSCL Track In Inventory?
Consumables: Stripper Foil, Targets
Non-Serialized items: Filters, O-rings…..basically, any spare part
Serialized items: Couplers, RF Tubes
Tools: FLIR Scope, Label Maker, Digital Camera
Fixtures: Items used to do assembly, jigs, rarely used items
Check-In
Parts that arrive are stored in a
temporary location
Existing part
New Part
Duplicate parts do NOT have to
be kept in the same location
Check-Out
View Reports
Inventory
List of all parts in alphabetical order
Manufacturer
List of all manufacturer in alphabetical order
Reorder
List of parts that have dropped below the user defined “Minimum Level”
Location
List of all parts “by location”. Useful for performing an inventory of items
View Reports
Wireless Handheld (Motorola MC55)
Provides “point of use” search of Database
Syncs with Database when cradled
Decreases time to find and check-out items
Ruggedized for industrial use
Located Outside both Cyclotron Vaults
Future
Matrix for determining “minimum on-hand” before reorder
UPC Labels at Point of Use
Use by other department
Link to Maintenance Guidelines
Installed function: Where and when was a part installed
Map of the locations
Questions